I have one and it works great. I don't get to drive too often due to my schedule.

 

my battery was sounding weak and I've been meaning to buy the porsche charger...got it 2 days ago ...paid $120

plugged into the lighter and it took about 30 hours to charge

no more worries

as soon as this storm is over and the roads are clear, I'll take it out for a blast

 

I've never done that with mine (the "not cheaper" one made by Ctek). I switch the maintainer to the off position, before unplugging the cig. lighter or plugging it in. I never remove the electrical cord from the wall socket. No issues for over 5 years. Maybe the older Porsche maintainer has no off switch--I don't know as I've never seen/used one.

As of the OP, if your battery has died twice, I'd replace it. Get yourself the Ctek 3300 maintainer (which corresponds to the Porsche dual mode maintainer for less money--you'll need to order the cig. lighter cord to go with it as it comes with two cords, one with eyelets and the other with battery terminal clips) and use it always when the car's parked in your garage and it will extend the battery life. Also, you should not have to add water to the battery either, which is another plus.

 

Keep an eye on the battery - if it's sounding weak it probably is and a maintainer won't be a permanent solution. How old is the battery?

 

battery is 3 years old

if it sounds weak again I'll buy a new one...but in the meantime, the charger is green

no worries

 

Green just means the charging cycle is done - doesn't tell you anything about the health of the battery and its ability to hold a charge. Three years is a good time to replace. Mine went from green on the maintainer in the morning to dead in the afternoon. Buy a Walmart MAXX 94R - $77, perfect fit and a better warranty than Porsche.

 

Here is what I use....

http://www.saveabattery.com/im.aspx

 

I never use a trickle charger/tender...don't really trust them. They'll top you off but battery life is finite. Just start your friggin car twice a week and do a pre-emptive battery changeout after 4 years (Duralast $90). Easy DIY..15 min max

Did it on my 05 carrera, 83 slantnose and 05 boxster....never had a dead battery even with the Florida heat and never worry about "charging/tendering" thru my cig lighter

just my .02

 

I use a C-TEK 800 $38 on Amazon. Same company that makes the Porsche one. Leave it on all the time, connected to battery with the eyelet connector that comes with it. I also close it in the hood , with no problems. Been doing this for years, with different Porsche's.

 

I have used Battery Tender chargers for over 15 years and highly recommend them.

 

Yup, used Battery Tender Plus for all my cars/motorcycles and wouldn't use anything else. Went a step further and installed a Powerlet socket into lower bumper area to just plug in and avoid closing the door on the wire when using the cig lighter or keeping frunk hood open (both of which work well for most but just an alternative)

 

Is anyone more familiar with the difference between the 800 and 3300 models. It would seem the 3300 has two different amperages listed for it where the 800 only has the one. The 800 model is $38 and the 3300 is $55.

I do need to purchase one this week but am curious which one to go with.

 

you're dead on jhbrennan...took the car out today for a cruise and it barely started after getting gas...I'm calling walmart...thanks !

 

walmart, pep boys and napa all say they only have a battery for a carrera gt...will that fit my 04 c4s?

 

+1 to that. I have had the CTEK unit for years with no issues. My car is hooked up to it through the cigar lighter all winter long and I have had no issues. The only difference between the Porsche model and the CTEK is the Porsche logo sticker and $ 30 or so. I am sure all the other brands do an equally good job when used as directed.

Long live marketing hype.